Transforming a child’s world: Jaycean’s journey home

This paid piece is sponsored by Children’s Home Society.

Note: This story is written as a compilation of emails, conventional narrative and direct quotes.

Email from Sue Andrews, therapist, Black Hills Children’s Home

Feb. 12, 2024

Jaycean was with us from August 2020, when he was 7 years old, until March 2023; I was his therapist. He was referred by the Child Protection Services office in Rapid City.

The first time Jaycean was in Child Protection Services custody, it was the result of physicians being concerned about his health issues. As an infant/child, Jaycean was hospitalized many times with respiratory distress and intubated at least one time. He also had many other medical issues.

His mother’s parental rights were terminated. Jaycean lived with his dad, but when dad went to prison, Jaycean began living with various relatives in unstable environments. Before long, CPS took custody of Jaycean again.

In foster care, Jaycean was defecating/urinating outside of the bathroom, was destructive, was up during the night making messes, made sexual gestures and held a child’s head under water in a wading pool. When Jaycean needed more help than foster care could provide, he was referred to Black Hills Children’s Home.

Jaycean has Down syndrome and cognitive deficits. He had difficulty expressing himself when he arrived but made gains. He needed prompting and assistance with many tasks, yet again made significant progress. Everyone at BHCH knew Jaycean and was very attached to this little boy.

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Single parent Kelly Keiser of Sioux Falls had adopted three boys — Chris, Jaren and Noah — with varying special needs. She wasn’t planning to foster or adopt more children. But when she learned about Jaycean, she wanted to get to know him. She talked to her boys, and they agreed that they should meet Jaycean.

They began sending cards to Jaycean and had several video calls with him. Finally, the family made a trip to Rapid City to visit him at Black Hills Children’s Home. And then they knew they wanted to bring him home. After several months, Jaycean was discharged and went to live with the Keisers in Sioux Falls.

Email from Kelly, March 26, 2023

He is doing so well. … We had state basketball tournaments all weekend, and even though he wasn’t able to compete, he enjoyed making friends everywhere we went and cheering for the big boys. Pretty sure he also already has “Grandpa and Grandma” wrapped around his little finger too.   

Email from Kelly, May 14, 2023

Just a quick note to let you know Jaycean received his package and was so excited for both the Barbies and the candy … lol. (Jaycean loves Barbies!)

Tonight, he got to participate in the Torch Run for Special Olympics because Jaren is an official runner for the Torch Run this year. He had a blast!

Email from Kelly, Sept. 15, 2023

A quick update. I was able to visit with the attorney this week, and we will soon have a court date to make everything official. We can’t wait! Jaycean is loving middle school and making friends.

He is also currently participating in bowling and softball with Special Olympics and has made some friends there as well. He is just a sweetheart. … He and Noah decided they needed their faces painted like zombies. They are both super-excited for Halloween.

Email from Kelly, Nov. 12, 2023

Jaycean is continuing to thrive. Everything is going great! He is just the greatest guy, and such a blessing. We are so excited for everything to be official! … In school he gets to help with the Coffee Cart; he and his classmates sell coffee to the teachers.

He recently got first place in his division in Special Olympics bowling. Now, we are on break for the holidays! He loved Halloween and is already asking about Christmas. … He is sure to get spoiled!

Email from Laurie Brosz, Department of Social Services, Nov. 20, 2023
Subject: Adoption Announcement

I am so excited to announce Jaycean was adopted today! This special boy has been in DSS custody since 2020 and was placed at the Children’s Home until March 2023.

Kelly had closed her license after adopting her other sons, but when she saw Jaycean on AdoptUSKids, she reopened it just so she could provide Jaycean a forever home.

The first night Jaycean spent in Kelly’s home, Jaycean and one of his new brothers discovered they both had Harry Potter pajamas, and they have been best friends ever since. Since moving into Kelly’s home, Jaycean has been involved with the Special Olympics, where he participates in softball and swimming. He recently also participated in the Hero Pull, where he got to help firemen pull a firetruck!!

Interview with Kelly

Feb. 8, 2024

“Adopting Jaycean was a family decision. It’s been just a great year, things are going really well.

“At first, he was really scared anytime we went to visit a new house. He was afraid to go through the door; I would have to carry him. Now, he’s progressed to a point where he takes a couple of big breaths, and we talk about how it’s a safe place. We talk about what we’re going to see inside, take a few more big breaths and through the door we go. Then, within a minute or so, he’s running around playing and happy as all get-out rather than being scared and clinging to me. So he’s feeling safer and more comfortable, which is wonderful.

“Also, Jaycean is an absolute social butterfly. There’s not a person in the world that we interact with that isn’t his best friend. He calls all the coaches by name, has many friends; he’s just so fun.

“The kids are all so happy to see him, and it’s so heartwarming. I walked into the school and here comes Jaycean, and everybody is giving him high-fives — and they’re excited to see him because he’s such a fun, happy guy. There’s so much genuine joy, and he’s forming those bonds and relationships with people. It’s just so great.”

Through residential care at CHS, and now through the love and support of his new family, Jaycean has been transformed into a delightful, happy little boy. And Jaycean, in turn, transforms those with whom he comes in contact.